لا أَظلِمُ اللَيلَ وَلا أَدَّعي

أَنَّ نُجومَ اللَيلِ لَيسَت تَغور

I do not blame the night, nor claim

That the stars of the night do not set.

لَيلي كَما شاءَت فَإِن لَم تَزُر

طالَ وَإِن زارَت فَلَيلي قَصير

My night is as long or short as it wishes.

If it is long when left alone, or short when it visits,

تُصَرِّفُ اللَيلَ عَلى حُكمِها

فَهوَ عَلى ما صَرَّفَتهُ قَدير

It governs itself as it wills.

It is capable of being as it makes itself.

يُطَوِّلُ اللَيلَ مُراعاتُهُ

فَكُلُّ أَمرٍ لا يُراعى قَصير

Observing it lengthens the night.

Any matter not pondered is brief.